The women shared a look.
“Fate’s teeth, he’s right,” Lilith growled.
And then they were sorting through the gowns. Some were ruled out due to the cold weather. Florian discarded several that were so outdated that they might have belonged to his mother. More were set aside due to incomparable fit issues. Those that remained were arranged on the bed for their inspection.
Florian watched as Keira took them in silently, nodding slowly to herself.
“I think this one,” she said finally, stroking the fabric.
“Yes!” Lilith clapped excitedly. “It will be perfect.”
Keira turned to Florian, seeking his opinion.
He nodded thoughtfully. She would look gorgeous in this, like any other woman of the court. “Almost perfect,” he mused.The problem was, Keira was so much more than that, and she needed to show them. “But I think I know just what it needs.”
Caspian
The night was alight with torches and lanterns. Their flames kept the courtyard of Northall warm against the winter’s edge. The nobles had gathered once more under the stars. Many had offered Caspian their apologies and well wishes earlier in the day as preparations had begun. In fact, he had been taken aback by the kindnesses they had shared.
Within hours of the wedding that never was, it seemed everyone in the town, in the keep, and even in the camps outside the castle knew the tale of Lord Redfield’s treachery, Keira’s imprisonment and escape, and the duel between her and the golden snake. Though such enrichment had been rendered to these tales that they were quickly approaching the realm of legend. Nevertheless, their story had clearly swayed the imaginations and hearts of those who heard it. In a matter of hours, a far grander celebration had been brought to life.
Caspian stood in his wedding clothes, the heavy cape of bearskin hanging from his shoulders and the crown of Northall on his brow, and he waited. Ordinarily, it was customary for the betrothed to enter from opposite ends of the temple and to exit together once the ceremony was complete. Yet, Caspian had been informed that it was tradition, since they would be marrying in the keep, for the liege lord to wait at the altar and for the consort to come to him. He’d hardly hated waiting more in his life.
“So tense,” Gilbert said beside him. The prince had been kind enough to stand in as his attendant, an honor he’d refused for his first attempt at a wedding that day as not to appear to favor one noble house over another, but had gratefully accepted for this.
“Anxious, perhaps,” Caspian relented.
“Are you honestly afraid that she won’t come?”
Caspian sighed. Of course, the lingering fear remained in him.
However, Gilbert had the nerve to chuckle as he clapped his arm. “I think it would take a cursed dragon to keep that woman from you.”
He smirked despite himself, though inwardly he digested the prince’s words. She had been through the worst to find her way back to him. How could he possibly be worth all of that?
Keira emerged on the opposite end of the courtyard, bathed in the warm firelight, and he knew the answer at once. Because he would do the same. He would fight a legion of ogres, cross seas, scale mountains, slay dragons, conquer kingdoms, if it meant getting back to her.
Caspian forgot to breathe as he drank in the sight as she approached. Her hair had been pulled up, curled and styled so that some pieces might fall freely. Her gown was made of shining fabric of emerald green with gold stitched vines running up the skirt and over the bodice. It was perfect in the way it melded to her body, accentuating her curves, complementing the warm tone of her skin. But more, she wore a pair of intricately patterned leather bracers. Pauldrons covered her shoulders, decorated with lush brown bearskin. Around her neck was a necklace strung with thin golden teeth… from the snake. She was wild and beautiful and brave.
She was about to be his.
Behind her were the rest of the Blades, each looking nearly as lethal as her, even dressed in their wedding best.
“Look alive,” Gilbert said, patting him on the arm.
Caspian nodded, steeling himself as they met before the oracle.
Her pendant watched them even as she closed her eyes to begin the rites. Caspian’s world centered on his bride. It was surreal, dreamlike, that she was here, that this was happening. It felt so long overdue, yet as if he had always known his path would lead him here. Destined. If ever Caspian had trusted in the Fate’s design, it was now.
“The Fate weaves in unknowable patterns,” the oracle began. The guests focused in as Caspian’s pulse raced. “The future laid before us in infinite, ever shifting mysteries. Our paths often cross with others, some even linger side by side for years. But some bonds ring with the resolution of eternity. Today is the day for a marriage, a union of fates. These steps to us are clear, taken knowingly and willingly. Let us take them with thanksgiving. Bring the threads.”
Gilbert came to his side, offering the blue cord. Caspian took it, feeling the weight of the thread, its significance, swelling within him.
Keira was focused on her empty hands, concentration evident in her eyes. He knew that look. She was trying to do magic.
“Save your strength,” Caspian protested quietly.
Keira let out a breathless laugh. “I have strength enough for this.”
